06 Highlander Inverter Failure
 

6/14/2010 2006 Highlander 4x4 V6 LTD 129,000 Miles

Complete power loss traveling at 30 mph. Coasted to the side of the road. All lights on including "Check VCS SYSTEM". Antwerpen Toyota (Clarksville, MD), my purchasing dealer, estimated $9,000+ for replacement of the hybrid inverter. They went to Toyota and received a $2000 reduction, so they want me to pay $7000+ to fix a car less than 4 yrs old! We kept up with scheduled maintenance and don't drive this car hard, mainly freeway miles. Tried to get more information from Toyota corporate customer service on frequency of this problem, was told they don't keep that information. SOOOOO many things wrong with this, but I'm trying to be brief. Trying to gather information to fight this.

Who knows why CA warranty is 10yrs and 150K miles on hybrid components?

Does anyone have details on the service bulletin that went out to dealers regarding inverter failure indicated by warning lights?

Thankfully I was driving at low speed and not my 16 year old daughter on I-95. We paid the extra money at purchase because we thought we were doing the right thing. This is not fair, and I'm sick of everyone saying this is out of their control. I bought this car in good faith from Antwerpen Toyota and now feel duped. Either so few of these fail and they should covered longer, OR, this is going to be a wide spread problem for hybrid owners and is just beginning to show up.

You would think Toyota would monitor this forum.

I'm not going away.

Re: 06 Highlander Inverter Failure
 

[quote=Maryland John;223638]6/14/2010 2006 Highlander 4x4 V6 LTD 129,000 Miles


Who knows why CA warranty is 10yrs and 150K miles on hybrid components?



Strong consumer protection laws - leading the country in these. My '06 HiHy 4x4 has half your milage, and I have lived in CA for three and a half years, but it was bought in FL. So I wonder which warranty applies to me?

The big question, of course, is how they can charge the ridiculous $7000 for the thing, which is more than the price of a new engine I would think. It seems like it would be pretty much a bolt on/plug-in unit rather than something the car is built around, needing major dissembly, and this predatory charge alone is more than twice the price difference between base hybrid and non-hybrid models in '06.

Pete

Re: 06 Highlander Inverter Failure
 

Please report your invert failure to the NHTSA (888)327-4236. Only takes a few minutes and multiple complaints hopefully will lead to an investigation. Please file a complaint even if your inverter is replaced under warranty.

The NHSTA rep that took my compliant suggested filing complaints with both the FTC (877)382-4357 and your state's Attorney General.

Re: 06 Highlander Inverter Failure
 

Mine hasn't failed - just contemplating the possibility and options when approaching warranty expiration.

Just read about a quoted $11,000 dealership repair fee for a failed high milage '06 HiHy hybrid computer!:

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/Web...f1dfe1e/4#MSG4

This makes a $4000 battery replacement look like chicken feed in comparison to the inverter and computer!

Pete

Re: 06 Highlander Inverter Failure
 

Major parts like the inverter, ECUs, Tranny are available in the salvage market at much lower prices. You need to investigate independent repair facilities (Ones with good reviews are: Luscious Garage in San Fran., AutoBeYours in Indianapolis. Some others are listed at: http://www.hybridcars.com/service/pr...rid-shops.html) to get more reasonable prices.

JeffD

Re: 06 Highlander Inverter Failure
 

My hybrid inverter failed on my 06 highlander in October 2009....cost of $8000 to repair. The dealership found me a used inverter from a wrecked 2009 Lexus for $3000. Now, 10 months later, this inverter has also failed!!! The warranty on the used inverter was for 6months!!!!! I think there is definely a problem with these inverters and Toyota should do something about it.

Re: 06 Highlander Inverter Failure
 

..what is the last 5 numbers of your VIN? I wish we could find out the VIN number on the wrecked Lexus. I refused to take my car back unless they assured me it was the improved inverter after the vin break.

Re: 06 Highlander Inverter Failure
 

My 06 Hylander just hit 104k miles and the inverter went out!!!! $9,500 to fix!!!!

How do we get Toyota to stand behind this issue!!!!

Mad in Minnesota